A 6.7 magnitude earthquake struck the Ayacucho region of Peru on Thursday, causing damage to infrastructure across the southern part of the country. According to reports from the United States Geological Survey, the tremor occurred at a depth of 62 miles near the settlement of Aniso. While the event was significant enough to be felt in Lima, over 300 miles away, current reports indicate that the damage is largely concentrated in rural areas near the Andes.
Defense Minister Rafael Belaunde confirmed that 22 homes and six schools sustained structural damage. Additionally, the National Institute of Civil Defence reported that 10 healthcare facilities in Ayacucho and two in the neighboring Cusco region were affected. Despite the damage, these medical facilities remain operational for those who need them. Around 9,000 properties in the region lost access to electricity as a result of the seismic activity.
Officials report three injuries among the local population, though none are categorized as serious. The region is known for frequent seismic events due to its proximity to the meeting point of the Nazca and South American tectonic plates. Emergency teams are currently on the ground to manage the response and assess the full scope of the destruction in the Andes mountain range.